Athens Academy • Post Office Box 6548 • Athens, Georgia 30604

July 2011

Dear K-3/K-4Families:

We trust your summer is going well and hope you all have enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, and most importantly relaxing! The Harrison Center for the Arts and Preschool will officially openthis year. The space is truly amazing and we cannot wait for you and your children to see it. We have designated time during the parent afternoon meetings for everyone to tour the space. We ask that you wait until that time to visit the building because we are extremely busy unpacking and preparing for school to begin. Please read the contents of the mailing carefully as there are several important changes. In particular, the traffic plan, the parent meeting format and the Stay & Play registration information.

Two important events you will not want to miss are the playground parties and the parent meetings. See the enclosures for specific details for the events. At least one parent should plan on attending the Parent Meetings. We will meet in the Harrison Center Presentation Hall. The meetings are for parents only and children should not attend.

In an effort to reduce costs for our families, the school provides all the supplies for your child. We are able to buy in bulk and pass the savings to our families. Your child will be provided an Athens Academy tote bag, a Stay & Play bag for towels, and all other needed supplies. Supplies will remain in the classrooms. Your account will be billed at the beginning of school.

The following is included in this mailing:

Packet items to be returned:

**Information Sheet (white)

**Transportation Sheet (yellow)

**Stay & Play Registration (blue-optional)

**Parent Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet (pink)

Pre/Lower Events 2011-2012

Traffic Plan

Stay & Play Information Sheet

Carline Numbers

SOS - Save Magazine Subscription

*Class lists have not been finalized yet. They will be emailed to you at the end of next week.

**All colored sheets and the white Information Sheet should be returned to your child’s teacher by the first day of school Tuesday, August 16 (do not mail). Please make sure to complete both sides and all the information requested on the white Information Sheet. If you need additional copies of this letter or any of the forms, you can find the information on the Preschool News section of the website.

In addition to above items, the following are posted on the Athens Academy Preschool News section of the website:

Dress CodeReading Lists

Lunch Form and Account informationFaculty/Staff List

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K-3/K-4 ORIENTATION DAY- Monday, August 15

Parking: Because there is no parking on Spartan Lane or Mason Mill at any time during the year and the very limited space in our parking lots, please carpool or ride the shuttle from the football field. The shuttle will run throughout the morning. Please note there is no bus service for Pre/Lower School and Stay Play/Extended Day is not offered on this day.

8:00-8:20 or 8:30-8:50Orientation: The K-3/K-4 Teachers have planned a special Orientation time for you and your child onMonday morning. We believe it is best for you to accompany your child to reassure them and share in the excitement of the beginning of school. The twenty-minute, small group visit (6-10 students)provides the opportunity for your child to become comfortable with their new classrooms.

During this time, your child will have the opportunity to meet their Teacher and Aide. They can look forward to locating their cubbies, getting their AthensAcademy bags, and some free play in the classroom. Siblings (Pre 1st- Grade 4) should go to the Barrett Hall during theK3/K4orientation time. Adult supervision will be available.

Your Orientation appointment time will be sent to you by email with the class lists next week.

9:00-10:15 Parent Service Organization (PSO)Coffee: Parents should plan on attending the PSO coffee in the multipurpose room in the Harrison Center. You will visit with other families and sign up for volunteer activities if you did not have the opportunity on Sunday. You have the option of leaving your child (K-3/K-4) in the Lower SchoolBarrett Hall with adult supervision or they may accompany you to the coffee.

GENERAL INFORMATION

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL-Tuesday, August 16

ARRIVAL: School starts at 8:10. Students arriving between 7:40 and 8:00 will be supervised in the Harrison Center Media Center. Children should not arrive prior to 7:40. Students are dismissed from the Media Center at 8:00 to their classrooms. Students arriving between 8:00-8:10 will go directly to their classrooms. Please make every effort to allow enough time for your child to be in their classrooms by 8:10.

DISMISSAL: 12:00- K3/K4; 1:30- Pre-first; 3:20- AllSchool (bus service available)

Car line:The teachers will provide signs for 12:00 carpool. Car numbers are in the oldest siblings mailing. We use car numbers for the 1:30 and 3:20 dismissal times. You will have the same number throughout your Pre/Lower School years. Your child needs to memorize their number (i.e. 144 will be called “one-forty four”). Display the number on the passenger side visor so it is visible when you flip the visor down (two rubber bands work well). If you need additional numbers, make them on a white background with a black marker (five inch numbers).

SIGN-IN & OUT: If your child arrives late or leaves early before the end of the school day, an adult must sign your child in/out at the Division Office. Please send a note to your child’s Homeroom Teacher if your child must leave early.

SNACK & LUNCH: A snack and milk or water will be provided each day. K-3/K-4 students do not participate in the school’s lunch program so you must provide a lunch if your child stays for Stay & Play.

STUDENT YEARBOOK PICTURES Thursday, August 18(see Preschool Dress Code for Special Dress)

We look forward to a wonderful year. Please contact the Preschool office if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Melton Weekley

Interim Pre/Lower School Director

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